Spaceman Album
 If
you'd like your very own copy of either the 'Spaceman' or Shooting
Stars' album,
contact Paul or come along to a gig.
12 Tracks. All original songs. All Vocals & Guitars by Paul
Symons.
Released April 2005.
'Spaceman' is a songwriter's album based on hot rhythm & fingerstyle
acoustic guitar playing. Though its essentially a solo album,
many of the 12 tracks feature harmony backing vocals & backing
from slide guitar also by Paul Symons. One track ('Golden Holden')
was recorded using an original 1930's 'National' resonator guitar.
There are also a couple of instrumental tracks. The style is homegrown
New Zealand music viewed through the 'blues' lens, and though
its just one guy, the songs & styles flow, without sounding
repetitive!
The recording was done at the marvelous 'Braeburn Recording Studio'
in Wellington by Robbie Duncan, in glorious tone. The sound is
excellent & guitar tones are sweet: This album can be played
at volume without sounding 'tinny' or fear of distortion! If you
like the sound of this,contact me to order a copy today. If not,
keep reading this page until you're convinced. ENJOY!
For those that might like to sing along - Spaceman
Lyrics
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE "SPACEMAN" ALBUM..
NZ Musician
Review by Bruce Morley, April/May 2005
Those who know Paul Symons might say he’s a typical Westie
- quietly conservative and a bit of a rebel at the same time,
determined to see things through, doesn’t suffer fools gladly,
loyal, a tough guy but loves his woman to bits too. Such character
traits areall present on this little beauty of an album, where
Symons has done everything from the whimsical sculptures for the
cover art to the neat country/blues/rock songwriting, geetar playing,
slide overdubs, vocals, dedications and enigmatic liner notes.
(A tip: leave the disc running after the last track has finished.)He
also owns the vintage bus and truck in the cover photos.
This is the kind of album we welcome from the likes of Guy Clark
“rooted firmly in the singer’s own world, no bullshit,
nicely crafted songs with meaning and wry humour”, cool
instrumentals, all his own work. The most honest album I’ve
heard in a long time and anyone who can title a modest slide guitar
instrumental Tomato Soup is alright by me.
Review link: http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/10/pi_albumid/474
Blues News
Review by Mike Garner, 25/07/2005
Paul Symons, Spaceman, Self produced
Spaceman; Tomato Soup; Wild West; Golden Holden; Missing You;
Goin' To See My Girl; Duckbread Blues; Nothing To Say; Sometimes;
90 Mile Beach; Ansafone; The Last Run
Paul appears to be a 'Westie' and proud owner of a house truck,
which features in the title track. This album of original songs
spans a decade or so and are personal recollections of his life.
But don't get the idea that this is too introspective. Symons
is a great guitar player. Much of the album is acoustic but there's
a good sprinkling of electric guitar sounds. He is an accomplished
slide player who can go from a Ry Cooderish 'Tomato Soup' to a
pre-war picked slide like McTell, on 'Golden Holden'. The latter
is a hymn to what he calls the 'bluesman's car'.
'Missing You' is a beautiful song, with a contemporary country
lilt to it, and lets Symons' voice float over the pretty guitar
melody. There's other hints of country rock, too, 'Duckbread Blues'
rocks with more great electric slide and fun lyrics - "when
you can't earn a crust you got the duckbread blues". 'Sometimes'
returns to a simple melody over a folky picked guitar. '90 Mile
Beach' has layered acoustics and electric slide creating a lush
texture, with harmonised chorus and another great song. 'Ansafone'
s just that - his voice mail message - cool but tantalisingly
short. The last cut, 'The Last Run', is a pretty guitar instrumental.
This is an excellent album - Symons has a fine voice, writes
good songs and has achieved a distinctive sound on this self played,
self produced album.
Review link: http://www.blues.co.nz/features/article.php?id=203
|
